xp fails to shut down

I recently purchased an HP dv 5020 laptop. (3 days ago). I
brought it home, and turned it on and got on line to install all
the updates and programs from the internet that i need and use.
I have no issues with any of the instalations or with the
operating system (XP PRO) during any of this.
I am unable to turn off the computer through windows. I have to
hard crash it with the power switch to turn it off.
I have been able to log off and get to the welcome screen, but
ONLY by going through task manager and killing the user through
there.
After I get to the welcome screen and ask the computer to shut
down,
it tells me that other people are logged on, and do I wish to
shut it down. I say yes, and it starts to shut down, and then
freezes.

Is this a simple fix, or setting that I am overlooking, or does
anyone have any suggestions to help me with this. I really like
that computer, and dont want to go back and send it away for
several weeks to be fixed right away.

Also, I have only one user account activated, that being the
default administrator one. Guest is turned off, and I have
added no other users.

what operating system came with your lap top?
if you just purchased it i would assume the new vista
was installed from the factory and when you updated
with xp prof it caused a conflict in your lap top.
if you have the cd that came with your lap top
reinstall it, if you want xp prof and have the cd,
wipe out the hard drive with a new install.

you can try downloading from Microsoft an app known as uer
proflie hive cleanup .Query this it should give you the app the
app is called upclean and it was put out to solve a problem of
memory not being released and the machine hanging,whilr trying
to shutdown. also go into user accts and delete Aspnet Acc keep
files if your the only one use it turn of guest Acct also while
your there in user Accts turn of fast user switching and you
should boot to welcome screen and the right into windows.Also go
into control panel ADmin and event viewer and see if you have an
app or driver that it hanging if so remove and reload it

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